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Henryetta Economic Development Authority (HEDA) members, tabled a request by Zack Patel for help funding a sewage connection on a motel project west of town.
Authority member Jennifer Munholland pointed out the sewer tap fee is $345. “I am concerned about this not being a new business but requesting HEDA funds,” she said. “This is an established business coming to HEDA for $345.”
Patel was not present for the meeting and the issue was tabled until December to allow him to be present and explain his project further.
Munholland said she met with QuikTrip officials this past week and was told “everything that needs to be done is done. They plan to start building in the spring.”
A proposed travel center and motel west of town has hit a snag with the developers wanting the property put in their name. The city granted the developers a 100-year lease earlier this year. “”We don’t want them to not develop the property,” she told the HEDA members. Broken Bow has the same thing going on with the same people,” she said.
Workers from EPA are taking soil samples at the Henryetta Iron and Metal site on West Main. The property is still privately owned and EPA is dealing with the owners.
Munholland said the owner has received several code violations but nothing has been done.
She said the combination of the pandemic and Supreme Court ruling about tribal land has caused some issues with police and fire departments.
“Because the county is in the red and we are a hot spot, police are now trying to handle non-emergency calls over the phone. If we have officers quarantined we will run into problems real soon.” There are 13 police in the department.
She went on to say the tribal land ruling has caused an issue with jurisdiction. “If you are a Native American and there is a robbery, the Lighthouse have to be called. At the same time, if the criminal is Native American, that also has to involve Lighthorse officers.”
She said police will show up if there is an emergency and if it is life threatening.
HEDA members approved reimbursing the city for $7,256.27 for Shoney’s 2.5 percent taxable sales from July 1 through Sept. 30.